The boke of Saint Albans

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

71266

Title

The boke of Saint Albans

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Dame Juliana Berners' seminal 1486 manual offers a comprehensive guide to the aristocratic pastimes of hawking and hunting, alongside a detailed treatise on heraldry. This facsimile edition preserves the original Middle English text, providing an authentic look at medieval chivalric culture, animal husbandry, and the complex rules of coat of arms.

Summary up to 500 words

Dame Juliana Berners' *The Boke of Saint Albans* stands as a definitive encyclopedia of medieval English aristocratic life, blending instructional prose with poetry to define the behaviors, symbols, and skills of the gentry. Written in the vernacular, the text is divided into three primary sections that collectively outline the ideal conduct and knowledge required of the nobility. The first section details the art of hawking and hunting, offering practical advice on training hawks and hounds, managing kennels, and preparing for the chase. Berners includes poetic verses extolling the virtues of a good hound and horse, alongside specific instructions on feeding and caring for these animals. The text categorizes beasts of the chase into those of 'sweet foot' (such as the buck and deer) and 'stinking foot' (such as the roebuck and fox), while also listing various breeds of hounds and describing the ideal physical attributes of a greyhound. Furthermore, the book provides a comprehensive list of collective nouns for animals and birds, such as a 'sleuth' of beavers or a 'pride' of lions, reinforcing the cultural importance of these creatures. The second section addresses heraldry, explaining the complex rules of blazoning. It distinguishes between arms granted by royal authority and those borne by right of lineage or merit, tracing the origins of nobility back to Adam and Noah. Berners clarifies the significance of colors and metals in coats of arms and provides detailed instructions on quartering, engrailing, and indenting shields. The text also explores the differences between arms granted by a prince versus those acquired through personal merit or labor, asserting that while granted arms hold higher dignity, arms taken by one's own authority are lawful if no prior claim exists. The final section lists the shires and bishoprics of England, concluding with a theological discussion on the origins of nobility. Throughout the work, Berners emphasizes moral conduct, urging readers to serve God devoutly, work wisely, and avoid slander. By combining technical manuals on hunting and heraldry with moral instruction and geographical data, the *Boke of Saint Albans* serves as a comprehensive guide to the identity and responsibilities of the medieval English elite.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/71266.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg71266.epub

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2026-08-13 11:32 UTC

Categories

• Hunting
• Heraldry
• Falconry